Handle for hammers



(No Model.)

7 J. W. BATON. HANDLE FOB. HAMMERS, MALLETS, OR OTHER STRIKINGTOOLS. 110.434,?72.

Patented Aug. 19, 1890.

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JOHN W. EATON, OF PLAOERVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

HANDLE FOR HAMMERS, MALLETS, OR OTHER STRlKING-TOOLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,772, dated. August 19, 1890.

Application filed January 30, 1890. Serial No. 338,552. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN WV. EATON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Placerville, in the county of El Dorado and State of California, have invented a new and useful Handle for Hammers, Mallets, or other Striking-Tools, of which the following is a specification.

. This invention has relation to an improvement in the handles for hammers, mallets, and other striking-tools; and among the objects in view are to provide a handle capable of yielding or springing when the head of the tool is brought in contact with the object, thereby increasing the strength of the blow and preventing the liability of fracture to the handle.

WVith the above objects in view the invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of an ordinary hammer head mounted upon a handle constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the handle detached. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same through the kerfed portion. Fig. 4 is a partial sectional View to show how the wedge is fitted in place.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In practicing my invention the handle 1, which is of the ordinaryshape,is provided with a saw-kerf 2, extending from the upper end of the same toabout midway the handle, at which point I prefer to insert through said handle a transversely-disposed rivet 3, By the kerfing mentioned the handle is longitudinally divided, forming opposite bifurcations or springsections 4. The head 5 in this instance is an or- (ii nary hammer-head; but it may be either a mallet or other form of striking-head, is provided with the usual handle-receiving eye or opening 6, and into the same is inserted the upper or bifurcated end of the handle, after which a wedge 7 is driven between the bifurcations, whereby they are spread and an accidental displacement of the head prevented.

The advantages arising from a handle that is resilient or capable of springing at the time of giving the blow are well known to persons conversant with the handling of tools, in that not only is the hand of the operator relieved from jar, but the handle itself is prevented from accidental fracture and the force of the blow greatly increased, thus requiring less effort upon the part of the operator.

In my invention the kerf is disposed parallel to the striking-face of the hammer, and the above advantages are secured in a cheap and simple manner and without detracting from the simplicity of the ordinary handle. If desired,.the kerf or slot may be formed intermediate the ends of the handle, leaving the upper end of the handle solid. In such instance the head would be fastened to the handle in the usual manner.

/ Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A tool-handle formed of a single piece of wood, the upper portion of which is provided with akerf, said kerf being parallel to the striking-face of the hammer, and a rivet passed through the handle below the lower end of the kerf, substantially as specified.

2. The herein-described tool, comprising a head having an eye, a handle formed of a single piece of Wood and having a longitudinally-disposed kerf extending from its upper end to about midway of the handle and parallel with the striking-face of the hammer, and having a rivet passed through the handle below the lower end of the kerf, the upper end of said handle being inserted in the eye and a wedge driven in said kerf and within the eye, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' JOHN \V. EATON.

WVitnesses:

H. L. ROBINSON, L. D. IVIARKS. 

